Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find JOY through all of your ups and downs. Hope you enjoy my thoughts!

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My JOYFUL REFLECTIONS header picture is a picture taken on 10/20/16 on our visit to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. I had never seen so many different colors of Poinsettias before... These HOT Pink ones were gorgeous.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Revisit to Where it All Began

George and I took his mother and father back to southern Indiana in October of 2006 --to re-visit the small town of Winslow, which is Mom's hometown. Mom grew up in the area and graduated from high school there. Dad Adams was in Winslow working in a CCC camp, with a group of young men who were building a new park in that area. Mom and her good friend, Virginia, met their future husbands when the young men came to Winslow to work. You can only imagine how the people in town felt about their home-town girls dating those 'outsiders.' Oh My!!!!!

Nevertheless, Mom and Dad did fall in love---and Dad would walk miles and miles just to see her. When we were in Winslow and Arthur (nearby town), they showed us how far the walk was from his workplace and/or camp to Mom's house. That was true love I'm sure!!!!

Mom's father and mother had ONE rule. She couldn't get married until she was 20... SO, on May 2, 1940, she turned 20 and they were married on May 5, 1940. We visited the church Mom and her family attended and where she and Dad got married. The church is the Winslow Christian Church --and the sign out front was dedicated in memory of Mom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Cassiday.

This next May, these two wonderful people will have been married for 70 years. Dad Adams is 97 and Mom is 89. They are such an inspiration to me. Here are some pictures from our visit to Winslow, Indiana in 2006 plus a couple of extra pictures. Above is a picture taken the week of Dad's 95th birthday --in 2007. I wanted to include it so that you can see Mom's gorgeous smile. Below are more!!!

This is the home in Winslow, Indiana, where Mom lived when she and Dad got married.

The sign in front of the church is in memory of Mom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Cassiday. Mom and her family were very active in the Winslow Christian Church.

Winslow Christian Church was built in 1923 and is in immaculate condition, inside and out.

Mom played the piano in this church many years ago. She played for us again on this day. Dad joined in as we sang "The Church in the Wildwood".

George even remembered the layout of this church--since he visited here as a young child. There were some gorgeous stained-glass windows in this sanctuary.

Dad and Mom got married in this church on May 5, 1940. These two lovebirds are as much in love today as they were in 1940.

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Since there are no wedding pictures, I'll close with this portrait of Mom and Dad Adams and their firstborn, George, who was born on March 9, 1942. This picture was taken about 1943 when the family lived in Crown Point, Indiana. Isn't my Georgie a cutie pie????

Taking Mom and Dad back to Winslow and being there to relive their wedding was just awesome. When I married George, I found the most wonderful family one could ever have!!!

What a wonderful post, Betsy! It's so good that you have all those pictures, especially the one with them back in the church where they were married. I does my heart good when I see an elderly couple that are still in love like that!!! Yes, your George was a cutie pie, and I don't care if you tell him I said so! Have a blessed Sunday!

I agree with your other readers, what a beautiful post. So inspiring! One of the things I miss most about not having my parents, or my husbands parents around anymore are the stories they used to tell us. I now live in the same town my dad lived in right before he left for the war (WWII) and after he returned. I remember the stories he told of walking up the main road to catch the bus to take it to the university. Now everyday I drive that road to pick my Tall One up from school, I think of my dad walking the same path!

I know I don't have to tell you, to treasure the memories! Have a great Sunday!

Betsy, what a lovely tribute to two people who have meant so much in your lives...both yours and George's. I loved the picture of his mom playing at the organ...I have a video of my mother playing at the piano in church, and it has meant so much to me, since she passed away in 2005, and I can still go back and watch her play the piano. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories of George's family. He and you are both so truly blessed. Your father in law walking miles to see the love of his life, was truly inspiring.

What a blessing! This post is wonderful - a great tribute to this dear couple! They are beautiful! I love the way you capture all those treasured memories and have wonderful pictures as well. You're an inspiration to me - but I'm just so slow in getting things done. I've got so many old photos I want to scan and not enough time........sigh........

Yes, you married into a wonderful family...but I think they feel the same way about YOU. They truly are an inspiration...I wish for them many more years of happiness and health together!Did the church misspell Mom's parents last name??

Sush a heartwarming post Betsy !George's mum and dad looked so happy, and were/are truly in love with one another. Such a rarity these days to find couples who actually stick it out.Thanks for sharing your post, I just watched a documentary about the men in CCC camps, I wasn't even aware such things existed !Your right....your George was a looker ;)

Every time you make a post about George's parents,I can just feel the love you have for them.They sound like very special people,of course their son and daughter-in-law are also very special.Have a great day. Blessings,Ruth

You know what they say... when you marry ... you marry the whole family. You found a prize in George, Betsy! (And he found a prize in you, too.) What a wonderful story and MOM doesn't look 89 at all! She is amazing!A beautiful couple then and now.hugs,Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

SUCH A HEART WARMING STORY bETSY. tHAT BROUGHT TEARS OF jOY FOR A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE WHO HAD LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER FOR OVER 70 YEARS,THEY SHOULD WRITE A BOOK FOR THIS YOUNGER GENERATION WHO WANT NO COMMITTMENTS JUST LIVE TO GETHER UNTIL THINGS BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE AND GO THEIR WAY. MARRIAGE IS GIVE AND TAKE AND IT TAKES WORK.THANK YOU SO MUCH BESTY FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY....YOUR MOM AND DAD/GEORGE'S MOM AND DAD ARE THE ONES I LOVE TO TALK TO FOREVER. WHAT A HERITAGEANGEL HUGSDEBBIE